Distant Memories of the Near Future – Arcola Theatre

In the near future, love is just another commodity driven by an app called Q-pid. In fact, it’s a bit more than love, everything is commoditised. There are advertisements that it is legally mandated you listen and pay attention to, you are encouraged to report anyone you know who mutes the ad. In this future, AI dictates so much of life that those it cannot match with a partner are labelled as “undesirables”. In such a society, is there any space left for real human connection?

Within this world, a lone narrator shares stories of love and connection. David Head, writer and performer, has an immediate rapport with the audience, he comes across as a natural born storyteller with a big heart, a warm smile and such a sense of humour with his wit and sarcasm sparkling across the stage. Distant Memories of the Near Future tells five stories exploring the themes of technology, relationships and AI.

A multi-media setup enhances the experience, with the ads playing for the audience. These are bitingly sharp, very funny, and scarily convincing—so much so that it’s easy to believe Amazon and the government might actually mandate such intrusive advertising. The visuals match the “official” style perfectly, offering a chilling glimpse into a dystopian future. During one of the stories, as we follow an astronaut stranded on a distant asteroid, her oxygen running low, Head uses a beautifully crafted puppet, illuminating it with a handheld torch, to tell her story creating a haunting and intimate scene. There is really impressive video and design work throughout this production.

Due to the five stories, it can feel a little bit fragmented at times, but the individual stories connect back to a central theme: each one of us has a unique story, and these connections – however small – are powerful and meaningful.

In Distant Memories of the Near Future, capitalism – through technology – becomes a force that distorts true connections, turning love into a simple commodity. Yet, despite this commodification, Head suggests that real love endures as an answer in a transactional, profit and data driven world. Okay, maybe moments are overly simple with a hint of naivety but  we live in a world currently exploring steps into AI and where we are already used to giving away our data to anyone that asks (or even if they don’t ask) and where love is often found by swiping through a screen. Do we want to reach a point where an AI determines who we love and spend our life with? Could the world give so much power and authority to this AI that it becomes mandatory to love the person the AI provides – where an algorithmic match is not only recommended but mandatory?

Anchored by David Head’s captivating, and heartfelt performance, this is a funny and thought-provoking evening. Distant Memories of the Near Future brings humour and insight to leave audiences thinking long after the final scene. It is a brilliantly human piece.

Reviewer: Dave Smith

Reviewed: 13th November 2024

North West End UK Rating: